Celebrate the Holidays at George Washington’s Mount Vernon: Upcoming Events and Activities Include Thanksgiving Dinner To Go, Mount Vernon by Candlelight, the Boston Tea Party Family Day, Christmas Illuminations, and Holiday Shopping

There’s no better way to celebrate the holiday season with friends and family than at  George Washington’s Mount Vernon. A multitude of festive events and activities are scheduled in the coming weeks, along with holiday shopping and celebratory meals made easy.

The full roster of events and activities in November and December are listed below. Images related to upcoming events at Mount Vernon are available here and should be attributed to the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.

• Take the stress out of Thanksgiving with To Go Catering offered by The Mount Inn. For to go, select either traditional turkey or ham, along with sides, desserts, and add-ons. Orders are due by November 18^th and pickups are on November 22^nd. Order here.
• Get a head start on holiday shopping at the newly remodeled The Shops at Mount Vernon, with members enjoying an extra 10% off and complimentary gift wrapping on November 16^th. There’s something for everyone on your holiday shopping list – unique toys, books, whiskey distilled at Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon inspired jewelry, Presidential glassware, crafts, clothing, holiday décor, the always popular annual Mount Vernon ornaments, and more. Learn more.
• Mount Vernon by Candlelight is scheduled for select weekends in November and December. During this beloved holiday tour, guests meet 18th-century residents of Mount Vernon and hear about holiday traditions during a special candlelit tour of the Mount Vernon estate. Learn more.
• The Boston Tea Party Family Day is scheduled for December 9^th and will feature hands-on opportunities to learn about the 250th anniversary of this landmark event and its legacy. Guests can explore the teas dumped into Boston Harbor, decorate tea chests, participate in a scavenger hunt, and hear from George Washington as he discusses his views on the Boston Tea Party and Parliament's response. Learn more.
• The Christmas Illuminations holiday celebration is scheduled for December 15^th and 16^th. Kick off the holiday season with sparkling fireworks overlooking the Potomac River, along with season's greetings by General Washington and holiday music. This event also features an 18th-century winter encampment, the working Blacksmith Shop, Christmas carolers, and Mount Vernon’s beloved camel, Aladdin. Learn more.
• The Death and Mourning of General George Washington Tour on December 11^th and 17^th. Guests will explore the events leading up to Washington’s death and learn about the people who played a key part in trying to keep Washington alive. Dr. James Craik, Washington's physician, will share his role in the attempts to cure Washington. After viewing Washington’s deathbed in the Mansion, guests will have the rare opportunity to see the Old Tomb where Washington was interred in 1799. Learn more.
• Watch the 18^th-century baking process with Resident Baker Justin Cherry of Half Crown Bakehouse on selected dates in November and December. Each loaf is baked in a reproduction clay oven and made of grains authentic to the period that, when possible, were ground at George Washington's Gristmill. Demonstrations are scheduled on select dates, with baked goods available for purchase until sold out. Learn more.
• Join Mount Vernon for Washington and Thanksgiving, a free live virtual program for K-12 classrooms. Students can get ready for Thanksgiving by examining George Washington's legacy in establishing the national holiday. The program is scheduled for November 17^th at 1 p.m. ET and November 20^th at 11 a.m. ET. Learn more.
• Meet award-winning historian Edward G. Gray, author of Mason-Dixon: Crucible of the Nation, on November 28. Gray provides the first comprehensive history of the Mason-Dixon Line, a dramatic story of imperial rivalry and settler-colonial violence, the bonds of slavery, and the fight for freedom. Learn more.
• Educators Evening is scheduled for December 6^th, a free onsite and virtual program to thank K-12 teachers. Attendees are invited to reflect on the legacy of Ona Judge who was enslaved at Mount Vernon and escaped as a teenager. First-person storytelling performances will be followed by candlelight tours of the mansion and a private reception for onsite guests. Learn more.
• Meet Sandy Winnefeld, retired U. S. Navy admiral and chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board on December 12^th. Admiral Winnefeld will discuss his book, Sailing Upwind: Leadership and Risk from Top Gun to the Situation Room, and offer reflections on managing risk and the qualities of successful leaders. Learn more.

Read the complete listing of Mount Vernon events here. Most Mount Vernon events are free or discounted for members. Information about Mount Vernon membership is available here. 

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